SOT: I'D RATHER BE A HARDSHELL...

I’d Rather Be a Hardshell

I’d rather be a Hardshell, than anything I know,

A band of lovely brethren,

They love each other so,

I’d rather be a Hardshell, 

Because in them I find A lovely happy people. 

AII of the same mind.

I'd rather lie a Hardshell, And with the gospel fed. 

Than to be king of England. With n crown upon my bead.

I’d rather in a Hardshell, And hear the gospel sound. 

Then to be the greatest statesman, That walked upon the ground.

I'd rather be n Hardshell, And suffer all reproach, 

Than to lie a railroad president And riding in his coach.

I'd rather lie a Hardshell, And suffer scorn and shame, 

Than to be a dandy preacher 

With D.D. to my name.

I'd rather be a Hardshell, 

And Bye from hand to mouth,

Than to lie all the right Rev. D. D's 

Either north or south.

I'd rather he a Hardshell,  And live on bread and Water, 

Than lo be a fancy preacher 

To please old Babylon's daughter.

l'd rather be a Hardshell. 

And behind the times. 

Than to have my pockets full of husks 

Feeding to tile swine.

I'd rather lie a Hardshell, 

And wear a ragged coat, 

Than lo be a swine feeder 

And a milker of the goats.

I'd rather be a Hardshell, 

And labor for my bread, 

Than to have all the gold of Ophlr 

To leave when I am dead.

I'd rather be a Hardshell 

The balance of my life 

Than to go down to Babylon 

To seek my master's wife.

I'd rather be a Hardshell, 

And with a little few, 

Than to lie a high-tide Baptist, 

Hunting something new.

I'd rather be a Hardshell, 

And grub for my living. 

Than to be always blowing 

About the spirit of giving.

I'd rather be a Hardshell, 

And live on locusts and honey, 

Than to be always a begging 

The poor folks for their money.

I’d rather be a Hardshell, 

The Bible for my guide, 

Than to Be the Czar of Russia, 

And all the world beside.

I'd rather be a Hardshell, 

And lie esteemed a fool, 

Than to be a false religionist 

Brought up in a .Sunday School.

I'd rather be a Hardshell, 

Even from my youth, 

Than to be brought up in a Sunday School 

And learn,to hate the truth.

I'd rather be a Hardshell. 

And see my children die, 

Than to send them to a Sunday School 

To learn to love a lie.

Hardshell, Hardshell, 

I glory in the name, 

I'd rather be a Hardshell 

Than to have Allpacha's fame.

I’ve been a Hardshell seven years, 

A Hardshell I'll remain, 

I want to live a Hardshell, 

I want to die the same.

I’d rather be a Hardshell 

Than to have all this world’s goods; 

I don’t want to be anything else, 

Nor couldn't if I would.

I'd rather lie a Hardshell 

And eat that Jiving bread, 

And these are the sentiments 

H. J. Redd